Businesses offer to help parents with meals as schools remain closed

As some parents scramble to find alternative supervision for their children who will be out of school for the week due to COVID-19, at least two businesses have stepped up to help ease the situation by providing meals.

Many parents and guardians depend on school breakfasts and lunches to ensure that their children are fed and with the closure of schools for one week this may prove challenging.

Roll-on-roll-off company, Stress Autos, put out a call on Facebook, asking parents and guardians who may be in need of assistance to provide meals to contact them.

The company encouraged those who may be concerned about their child not being able to eat breakfast or lunch to message them directly.

It wrote: "If you’re ever worried about how you’re gonna feed your child please contact me and we will get it done. Our objective has always been to help others even if we ourselves are affected we must always move forward and help others. Please share and repost as much as you can.”

The move was praised by social media users.

One commenter wrote: “To whom much is given...much is expected. Thank you for this service towards mankind. I am so disappointed by the many supermarket owners who are exploiting members of their own community. May your business be ever prosperous and may you and your household be protected.”

Another commenter wrote: “Very good idea, how thoughtful! May God continue to bless you and your business. Hope this serves as an example to other businesses.”

Since Stress Autos put out the call less than 24 hours ago, it has received requests to provide meals to more than 500 students.

In an update, the business advised that it is currently are at capacity for the meal plans.

It wrote: “We already have close to 550 students on the meal plan for this week.
I'm working on a few sponsors that can help us push this project further and possibly help thousands of children at once throughout Trinidad and Tobago in one of our most darkest hours.
Your support has greatly been appreciated and I thank you once again for giving the youths a chance!”

All meats provided in the meals are halal. Drinks are also being provided.
It said the move was one of gratitude to thank those who supported them through the hardest of times.

Noting current challenges in the public being able to source hand sanitiser at groceries and pharmacies, Stress Autos said it is currently in talks with some local pharmaceutical suppliers.

It’s working on getting at least 100 bottles of hand sanitisers, which it intends to distribute at no cost to people throughout Trinidad and Tobago who can't afford them.

It urged citizens to be mindful of others who may need assistance during this time.

Meanwhile, Rotisserie Kings in Cunupia has also stepped up to assist families in need during this time.

Starting yesterday, the business offered free (one option per child) hotdog, grilled cheese sandwich and pancakes. It assured that the meats provided are halal.

In offering the much-needed assistance, it noted that some depend on daily or weekly income and would be unable to purchase in bulk to top up their food stock.

It noted that some businesses have been so affected that they have cut working hours and experienced a decrease in sales, which has directly affected employees and left them unable to provide for their families.

Rotisserie Kings also issued a call to any businesses that would like to sponsor meals, which start at $25.

The meals are one per child and the child must be present at the time the meal is being collected.

The business also called on all citizens to work together to assist in any way they can.

Social media users applauded the business' initiative.

One social media user wrote: "Thank you we the public really appreciate it. I work in a school and times like this when school closes I often worry about the less fortunate children and if they eat for the day. This brings hope to me."

Another user wrote: "This is fantastic. You all deserve great things. A real model of how businesses should help with their social responsibility and give back."

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